The American statesman, Thomas Paine once declared that he would live to see a day when man would no longer read the Bible. For the record, I would like to state that early this morning I read my Bible and that Thomas Paine is dead. Paine, however, is not alone in his sentiments towards the Word of God. Since the beginning when God first made known His Word and will to man, there have always been those who oppose the truth. Despite their efforts, the Word of God continues to stand the test of time, a shining beacon and testament to the veracity and steadfastness of the Author.
Contempt for scriptural truth has not only enjoyed historical popularity but still continues to be a favourite pastime today. Some people consider that the Bible is outdated. They think that a book that is over 2000 years old could not possibly be the truth. They suggest that today the truth is to be found in man himself.
Jeremiah 17:5, 7
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD… Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.”
Cursed or blessed – which camp would you like to be in?
There are also those who say that speaking the truth causes hatred. The only hatred that results when the truth is made known is in the hearts of those who would oppose it. It seems to me that when the Lord Jesus Christ spoke the truth, there were always those who tried to speak against it. In fact it was those same men who orchestrated his death. Isn’t that the ultimate goal of real hatred? Interestingly enough it was found not in the hearts of those who wanted the truth – but those who denied it. On the other hand, Jesus Christ’s words on the cross reveal what was in his heart concerning the very men who condemned him,
Luke 23:34
“…Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Why there are even those who suggest that one should seek legal advice before allowing the truth to be declared. I suppose that the suggestion is that one could suffer legal repercussion for speaking the truth. Wasn’t it the law of the Judeans and Romans that put the Lord Jesus Christ to death? I would then suggest that if speaking the Word of God runs at cross-purposes to the law of the land at times, then those who speak it are in good company. Are these people actually suggesting that a person needs permission from the legal authorities to freely preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ? It is thinking like that which not too many years ago fueled the fires of Communism and Nazism. (Need I remind you that both promoted a society without God?)
I have no doubt that the Thomas Paines of life will continue to come and go and find their pleasure in mocking the truth of God’s Word. I also have no doubt that the Lord Jesus Christ will return some day and every man will be held accountable for what they have said. I am assured of this “… by the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever” (I Peter 1:23)